Woven Textile Shoes

ABSTRACT

Woven textile structures constructed using dual-loom technology are provided. Filaments are woven in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of the textile and a second set of discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers are used to construct various textile structures such as a woven shoe upper and strobel integrally woven from the same filaments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application, having attorney docket number NIKE.174096, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/529,049, filed Aug. 30, 2011, entitled “Woven Textile Apparel and Accessories;” and is related by subject matter to the following concurrently filed U.S. patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174097, entitled “Woven Textile Bag;” U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174098, entitled “Woven Textile Accessories” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, having attorney docket number NIKE.174095, entitled “Woven Textile Organizer For Bags.” The entirety of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to woven textile apparel and accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to shoes woven to form pockets and/or channels.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, accessories such as shoes have been constructed by stitching or affixing together different panels of textile materials. With heavy or repetitive use, the textile panels can rip or separate along the affixed seams which limit the lifespan of these structures. As well, this mode of construction is typically labor-intensive because the different panels of textile materials need to be cut and sewn together.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention is defined by the claims.

At a high level, the present invention is directed toward constructing a variety of textile structures from a multi-layer woven fabric using dual-loom technology. The dual-loom technology is used to weave filaments in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of a textile and a second set of different discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers may be used to construct various textile structures, such as a shoe upper and strobel integrally woven from the same filaments. Because the layers that define the different textile structures are continuously woven from the same filaments, there is minimal need to sew different pieces of material together to create the structure. The result is a durable woven textile structure that resists heavy, repetitive use better than standard stitched structures. This mode of manufacturing can also significantly reduce manufacturing costs because it is less labor intensive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an woven athletic shoe having a strobel contiguously woven with an upper in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the woven athletic shoe depicted in FIG. 1 illustrating how the strobel and the upper are contiguously woven from the same filaments in an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a front view of the woven athletic shoe depicted in FIG. 1 depicting a series of woven reinforcement areas with a corresponding set of eyelets in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.

At a high level, the present invention is directed toward constructing a variety of textile garments and/or accessories from a multi-layer woven fabric using dual-loom technology. The dual-loom technology is used to weave filaments in such a way as to create a first set of different discrete layers of the same fabric in some regions of a textile and a second set of different discrete layers of the same fabric at other regions of the same textile. The different layers may be used to construct various textile structures, such as a shoe upper that may have a strobel integrally woven from the same filaments. Because the layers that define the different textile structures are continuously woven from the same filaments, there is minimal need to sew different pieces of material together to create the structure. The result is a durable woven textile structure that resists heavy, repetitive use better than standard stitched structures. This mode of manufacturing can also significantly reduce manufacturing costs because it is less labor intensive. Air-jet looms and/or water-jet looms may be used to construct bags or other types of apparel and/or accessories in accordance with the present invention, some examples of which are described herein. One example of suitable air-jet looms for use in practicing methods in accordance with the present invention and in constructing woven textile items in accordance with the present invention are air-jet looms available from Dornier Machinery Corporation of Charlotte, N.C.

More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a woven shoe with a strobel integrally woven with the upper using the same filaments. Because the strobel and the upper are formed from the same woven fabric, there is no need to stitch the strobel and the upper together. As well, in another aspect of the present invention, the upper may be woven and stitched to a strobel. Dual-loom technology may also be used to create different chambers or cavities in the upper in order to insert support or padding. In addition, dual-loom technology may also be used to create periodically spaced reinforced areas that may be die cut to create eyelets in the upper or to create a shoe tongue.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a woven athletic shoe 100 is depicted. In this case, dual-loom technology is used to construct a woven athletic shoe 100 having a strobel (not shown in this figure) contiguously woven with an upper 112. Although an athletic shoe is depicted in FIG. 1, other types of shoes are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. The shoe 100 may be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the filaments that are woven to create the upper 112 and the strobel may comprise nylon or polyester-type filaments. The shoe 100 may be woven to incorporate one or more graphic designs (including logos) into the upper 112. Further, the graphic designs may be woven using a different color filament as compared to the rest of the upper 112.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of FIG. 1 and better illustrates how the strobel 114 is contiguously woven with the upper 112. With respect to FIG. 2, the shoe 100 comprises a terminal front portion 110 woven from a plurality of filaments to form a single layer of fabric having up to eight layers of thickness. The strobel 114 is woven from the same filaments as the terminal front portion 110 and contiguously extends from the terminal front portion 110. The strobel 114 may comprise a single layer of fabric of up to four layers of thickness. Likewise, the upper 112 continuously extends from the terminal front portion 110 and is contiguously woven with the same filaments that comprise the terminal front portion 110. In one aspect, the upper 112 comprises a single layer of fabric of up to four layers of thickness. The upper 112 and the strobel 114 partially define a cavity 115 (i.e., the interior of the shoe 100). As well, the upper 112 and the strobel 114 comprise a first and second opposed surface and a first and second adjacent inner surface (i.e., the surface that is adjacent to the cavity 115).

The upper 112 and the strobel 114 are woven together at the sides 113 of the shoe 100 to further define the cavity 115 (only one side 113 of the shoe 100 is shown in FIG. 2). In one aspect, the sides 113 are continuous extensions of the terminal front portion 110. Thus, the sides 113 comprise a single layer of fabric of up to eight layers of thickness.

As the upper 112 extends from the terminal front portion 110, it may be woven in such a way as to create an opening 118 into the shoe 100 as well as a heel portion 116 that is adjoined to the strobel 114 at a terminal end portion 124. The terminal end portion 124 is contiguously woven from the same filaments as the upper 112 and the strobel 114. As well, the terminal end portion 124 is an extension of the two side portions 113. In one aspect, the terminal end portion 124 comprises a single layer of fabric of up to eight layers of thickness.

Turning back to FIG. 1 and focusing on the upper 112, the upper 112 may comprise a series of woven reinforced areas 120. The reinforced areas 120 are contiguously woven from the same filaments that comprise the upper 112. The reinforced areas 120 may be woven so as to create additional layers of the single fabric that comprises the upper 112. In one aspect of the invention, the weaving pattern may be altered so as to weave a series of eyelet holes 121 in the reinforced areas 120. The eyelet holes 121 may be further reinforced by stitching. In another aspect of the invention, the eyelet holes 121 may be constructed by die-cutting the holes 121 in the reinforced areas 120. Again, the eyelet holes 121 may be reinforced by stitching.

The upper 112 may also be woven as to create one or more woven cavities 123. In this aspect, each woven cavity 123 is constructed from two panels that are contiguously woven from the upper 112. Thus, each panel of the woven cavity 123 may comprise a single layer of fabric of up to two layers of thickness. Padding or support structures may be inserted into the woven cavities 123 to cushion or support the ankle. As well, additional woven cavities 123 may be located in different areas of the upper 112 to further cushion or support the foot. Stitching may be used to reinforce these woven cavities 123.

Turning to FIG. 3, a front view of the shoe 100 is depicted. The front view depicts a tongue 122. The tongue 122 may be constructed by altering the weaving pattern of the upper 112 so as to create the tongue 122. The weaving pattern of the upper 112 may also be altered so as to create reinforced areas along the tongue edge 122 and the upper edge 112 situated adjacent to the tongue edge 122. For example, additional layers may be woven into the single fabric that makes up the upper 112. Alternatively, the tongue 122 may be constructed by die cutting the tongue 122 from the upper 112. In this case, the upper 112 may be woven to create a reinforced area from which the tongue 122 is die cut. In both of these instances, stitching may be used to reinforce the edges of the tongue 122 and/or the upper 112.

The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. 

1. A woven shoe with an integrally woven strobel with an upper, the woven shoe comprising: a terminal front portion woven from a plurality of filaments to form a single layer; a first panel woven from the same plurality of filaments as the terminal front portion and contiguously extending from the terminal front portion, the first panel comprising the strobel; a second panel woven from the same plurality of filaments as the terminal front portion and contiguously extending from the terminal front portion, the second panel comprising the upper, the first panel and the second panel partially defining a cavity, the first and second panel being woven together into a single layer adjacent to the cavity and extending along a first side and a second side of the woven shoe; and a terminal end portion woven from the same plurality of filaments as the first panel and the second panel and contiguously extending from the first panel and the second panel.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel comprise a first and second opposed outer surface and a first and second adjacent inner surface.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the strobel and the upper are woven using dual-loom technology.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper has one or more woven cavities useable for support or padding.
 5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the one or more woven cavities are integrally woven from the same plurality of filaments as the second panel.
 6. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the one or more woven cavities are reinforced by stitching.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper has one or more woven reinforced areas.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, further comprising: eyelet holes in the one or more woven reinforced areas.
 9. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the eyelet holes are formed by die-cutting.
 10. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the eyelet holes are formed by altering a weaving pattern of the one or more woven reinforced areas.
 11. The shoe of claim 8, wherein the eyelet holes are further reinforced by stitching.
 12. The shoe of claim 8, further comprising: a shoe tongue in the one or more reinforced areas.
 13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the shoe tongue is further reinforced by stitching.
 14. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the shoe tongue is formed by die-cutting.
 15. A woven shoe with an integrally woven strobel with an upper, the woven shoe comprising: a first woven panel comprising the upper; and a second woven panel comprising the strobel, wherein: (A) the first woven panel and the second woven panel are constructed from a same plurality of filaments; (B) the first woven panel and the second woven panel partially define a cavity; and (C) the first woven panel and the second woven panel are integrally woven together at at least a first side and a second side of the woven shoe.
 16. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the first woven panel is further woven to create a shoe tongue.
 17. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the filaments comprise nylon filaments.
 18. The shoe of claim 15, wherein one or more graphic designs are woven into the first panel.
 19. A woven shoe with an integrally woven strobel with an upper, the woven shoe comprising: a first woven panel comprising the upper, the first woven panel woven from a plurality of filaments, wherein the first woven panel comprises one or more integrally woven reinforced area and one or more integrally woven cavities; and a second woven panel comprising the strobel, the second woven panel woven the same plurality of filaments as the first woven panel, wherein the second woven panel is integrally woven with the first woven panel at one or more areas of the woven shoe.
 20. The shoe of claim 19, wherein the one or more areas comprise a terminal front portion, a terminal end portion, a first side of the shoe and a second side of the shoe. 